Ping Pong Playa

I absolutely loved this movie. I loved it for two reasons: the plot line and the overwhelming sense of stupidity. This movie reminded me of Napoleon Dynamite. It was pretty funny even though the main character is a complete tool. The racial slurs in this movie just add to the stupidity of it. Ever race has stereotypes for each other and it's good to sometimes laugh at them instead of being offended. Overall, I think this movie is pretty great. I wouldn't say this movie is for families, just because of how one of the kids acts. I would say that it's a movie more appropriate for older high schoolers and young adults. Childish and juvenile as this movie may be, the younger generation finds that kind of thing hilarious(me included).

This is a "fun" and funny movie done in an original way - with moral lessons to boot. Best family suitable rental in a long while. This work in some ways is reminiscent of Tyler Perry - it doesn't play to the high brow audience, readily mixing the serious with the silly to good effect, and leveraging an American subculture as a backdrop to a story. It felt right how specific characters were constantly switching between Chinese and English to draw out the best phrasing and emphasize the bicultural significance of their lives and the challenge at hand. I'm going to check-out some of the other Jimmy Tsai projects. I was also impressed with the many supporting actors/characters. Another movie this reminded me of is Napoleon Dynamite - sound track and all, loved the "cereal" song. Best scene in the movie is when the main character's brother sets him straight - this and other scenes my kids insisted that I replay.

This funny movie plays on stereotypes... in a way that doesn't offend. The main character desperately wishes to be a basketball great, yet his hoop dreams are never fulfilled, due in part to his ineptitude and cultural background (lack of support culturally). When his mother is injured the protagonist is needed to teach ping-pong classes against his wishes, over time he slowly rises to the challenge, with some funny results. Thankfully it lacks the typical romantically driven plot associated with many comedies, thought a boy meets girl vibe does exist. In essence a "fish out of water" tale with surprising results. It is a comedy without rude and vulgar humor, yet still funnier than most that utilize such. Pleasantly surprising in almost every way.

(my first review. bare in mind that I judge movies by genre, i.e.: a "good" comedy may not be as "good" as an equally rated drama, or thriller, etc...).

Personally, I really liked this movie! Such a change in stereotypical Hollywood depictions of Asian Americans. Also, I love these LEAD Asian actors/actresses. I'm so tired of seeing stories "about" Asian Americans, just to see them in the background or shadow of the White stars.

And I love how they expressed their anger and addressed such stereotypical things that the media uses to portray Asian Americans such as "exotifying" them or saying how "passive" they all are. Yes, it may seem a little extreme how blunt the "boss" of ping pong is or the other opposing white players are in their racist remarks... but in reality things like this happen all the time. These microagressions are always here.

I don't like sports movies, but this film was the compromise choice for our family, our 18-year-old son who doesn't want serious drama, my wife who doesn't want even a whiff of violence, and me who would normally watch Lars von Trier or a Russian documentary.

But the whole family found something to laugh out loud at. Parts followed the nauseatingly sweet pattern of a Disney sports movie, but other parts would NEVER have appeared in a Disney movie. Not that they were violent or inappropriate, but just off message. That made the film rewarding.

If you want to pass a few hours being mindlessly entertained, this movie is for you.